NUNUKAN, Indonesia – The three-week long siege involving Filipino militants laying claim to Sabah, Malaysia has Indonesia bracing for evacuees, officials said Tuesday (March 5th), according to local media.

The Jakarta Post reported that police in Nunukan, East Kalimantan are preparing for a possible exodus by Indonesian workers affected by the recent conflict, which included a ground-and-air assault Tuesday.

Tunon Taka Port Police chief Sumarwanta said that at least 600 Indonesians working at an oil palm plantation had been evacuated locally due to the fighting.

Antara reported that there are an estimated 8,000 migrant workers in the vicinity. It quoted Minister of Manpower and Transmigration Muhaimin Iskandar as saying, "I have instructed the labour attaché in Malaysia to co-ordinate and take emergency action to secure our workers. It is important to know that they are safe."